Ladies' man :)

If only this photo was the DVD cover of a Lollywood movie, it would sell like crazy.

A policewoman guards the streets while other women shop.

Bull carts compete at a festival in rural Punjab.

serenity

Its one of those days, i would randomly grab a book off the shelf and start spending my days and nights with it. Thoughts are strictly prohibited to reach my head, as i remain on a different planet.

Look on

Coming from a closely knitted family, i was invited to Facebook by cousins, two years ago. Staying in touch was revolutionized. Now work mates, college friends and few radio fans make up most of my friend list there. Last week i received an email warning about a "draw Mohammad (PBUH)" contest. Now with efforts of Pakistan telecommunication authority, a block on the social website has been put in place.

Headlines and media is reporting all levels of society heating up with strong protest. From students to doctors; some marched while other talked.

In recent years, from danish cartoons to South park, there have been several events testing nerves of Muslims globally. Bans on products from these countries were also put in place, in some Muslim countries, which was lifted later as soon as people realized their own incompetencies to produce instruments, medicines etc.

Karachi; my home town, is engulfed in bloody series of target killing, resulting in deaths of more than 40 people in 48 hours. If any one of my friends might be wondering...

Shoaib's status update: I have a pulse...

Last night i couldn't brag to my friends in other cities, about special summer winds in this coastal paradise. It was hot, seriously hot. I couldn't even keep a count on number of showers i had. No matter how warm the day feels like, after sunset its a place of envy for the rest of Pakistan. Coastal sea breeze makes Karachi a place to be, specially in this season. But yesterday even though there was wind, it felt like Sahara.

From Governor to Chief minister level, meetings are being called to resolve differences between several key political parties active in Karachi. Apparently its these groups, which are believed to be settling their scores with streets and bullets. In the civilized world today, there is not a second example of political rivalries going this wild all over the globe.

Courtesy to Dawn(newspaper), i just wish to share a picture of some Afghan ruin where a young boy is seen playing cricket.

It's not the bullet with my name on it that worries me. It's the one that says "To whom it may concern"

Standing Tall

Pyar se ... sudhar jao !

For cricketing fans in Pakistan:

Whether we win or lose, in this game. Sleep Tight.

For Lawmakers in Italy:
Leave her alone.

Face the music

Last weekend Faisal shehzad, an american with pakistani origin was taken into custody. His charges; some failed attempt to blow up a car laden with explosives on times square in new york.

Here in pakistan, the interior minister traced his roots to places in karachi and nwfp. He is the same minister who believed Ajmal qassab (mumbai attack's sole survivor) was Pakistani, even when indians had doubts.

After reluctant and more calculated statements issued from Pakistan Army, Hillary clinton adopts a tough tone, to warn of severe consequences if a successful terror attack inside US, is traced back to Pakistan.

I have been thinking all day; what on Planet earth, our government and all of our forces could possibly do; in order to stop that. (neither it's our primary doctrine).

Faisal has not been linked with any terrorist organization so far, or faced any trial yet. He bought some fertilizers, propane gas cylinders, attached some triggers, and left a car ticking to explode. Any one living in United states, could have done that, if it was a home made bomb. What is Pakistan here is to blame for.

If there is any angle that adds extra value to Pakistan in this regard, is that Pakistan has been in forefront fighting war against extremism and terrorism; on its own soil and inside all its cities.

The tense air inside Pakistan, which breeds more terrorists, in the light of constant drone attacks and publicizing of cases like Afia siddiqi. Whether civilian causalities in Afghanistan or suicide bombs in Pakistan's public places, with every passing day full of such events, frustration grows. Leadership in Pakistan has failed so far to envisage a world of peace for its own people. I can remember what a local said to me during my visit to refugee camps, amid Swat operation by Pakistani forces.

"Shoaib, you can turn any young man of your age, into a suicide bomber. They have already lost someone in their own families, they are vulnerable.

"You can turn them violent, and you don't even need a beard".

Incidences are breeding these mindsets. If steps are not taken after serious intellectual fact finding, resolve; this will sadly continue.

Yesterday Defense Secretary Robert Gates offered strong praise on Friday for Pakistan’s efforts to root out extremist militants amid concern about potential links between the failed Times Square car bombing and Taliban.

And here today as i read news; diplomatic pressure is being applied to warn our government of consequences, which it may face for failing to provide security inside United states. Its ridiculous. But what i am concerned with, here is a sense of "we have done enough, enough is enough now" developing in our people.

Today here in Pakistan; streets don't feel safe, jobs are not secure, government doesn't seem to be interested in adopting nation friendly policies, there is; inflation, lawlessness, and the same corrupt breed of politicians are determined to stay in office till next millennium.

This mental chaos helps in harboring more radical mindsets. Its not nationalist movements, religious touts, or bureaucratic pimps only, its every one and every where, acting lose. From jurisdiction to accountability, from auditors to monitors; people i meet everyday don't seem to be ready to act positive about a single institution or person.

A government which is not ready to accept judgments of supreme court over hundreds of issues, (not to mention NRO or Swiss cases), is now making fool out of everyone, by passing constitutional amendments.

Pakistan could comply with Hillary's demands of stopping terrorists on foreign soil, only and only if we knew how to stop them at home...

...from corridors of Islamabad to Tora bora, its an ocean of 'em.